Freezing-type sediment sampler



1967 v. c. KENNEDY 3,347,101

FREEZING-,TYPE SEDIMENT SAMPLER Filed Sept. 15, 1965 '3 Sheets-Sheet 2 VH1 K i/W80 Fla ' INVYE/VTOR VANCE G. KENNEDY Oct. 17, 1967 Filed Sept. 15, 1965 V. C. KENNEDY FREEZING-TYPE SEDIMENT SAMPLER 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Oct. 17, 1967 3,347,101 FREEZING-TYPE SEDIMENT SAMPLER Vance C. Kennedy, Denver, Colo., assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Interior Filed Sept. 15, 1965, Ser. No. 487,638 6 Claims. (Cl. 73-421) ABSTRACT OF THE DESCLOSURE Portable device having coolant-fluid flowing through passages therein and upon a substantially flat covering element whose outer surface constitutes a bearing support on which a solid sample of sedimentary material is formed by freezing, and which includes in cooperative association therewith positional indicator elements whose orientation is fixed by freezing when the sample is made.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

This invention relates to improvements in a device for securing a sample of relatively incoherent sedimentary material as a solid mass by freezing the liquid constituents thereof. In this condition such samples can be conveniently taken from their environment essentially undisturbed physically and as a result are more suitable for purposes of radiochemical, particle size, and mineralogical analyses. The invention is most advantageously used in sampling fluvial sediments at the bottoms of streams or lakes, but can be adapted for application to ocean floors. Sediment samples of materials ranging from very low density muds to relatively unyielding gravels, as well as deposits only a few millimeters thick lying on consoli dated material, can be obtained using the present invention. Moreover, selectively oriented planar cores can be collected whereby it is possible to obtain a three-dimensional view of a sediment structure and fabric.

More particularly, the sediment-sampler device described herein is characterized by its special surface elements which may be brought to below water-freezing temperatures (as low as 40 C. to 70 C.) whereby sedimentary materials are caused to adhere thereon. Accordingly, a coolant is caused to flow in a steady stream through enclosed spaces contiguous to the surface of the device, whereon the sediment accumulates to form the sample for the low temperatures are thereby maintained for up to 30 minutes, or other predetermined periods of time depending on the size of sample required.

A primary objective of the present invention is, therefore, to provide a device to collect a sediment sample in a frozen state upon an exterior surface of the device.

Another object of the present invention is .to provide a device to accumulate a sediment sample as a frozen mass having a generally predetermined configuration.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide a sediment-sample freezing device having an attachment to supply data from which the orientation and attitude of the stratified sediment in the frozen sample can be determined with respect to a predetermined surface.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description and when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view, partly broken away and in section, of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the showing in FIG. 1, taken along line 2-2;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view shown partly in section of a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, partly broken away and in section, of a further embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view shown in section of an adjuvant component of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a first embodiment of the sediment sampler is shown as generally resembling a spade having a rectangular plank-like structure 8, to whose lower end is appended a wedge shaped cutting edge 9, and into the upper end of which is screwed an extended pole or handle 10. Rectangular structure 8 includes a cover plate 12 which contacts and completely shields one face of a relatively thicker base part '14 of the structure, and a header bar 15, of square cross-section, having a longitudinal slot 16 into which are fitted overlaying upper rim portions of plate 12 and part 14. These elements are thus maintained together in an integral organization with wedge 9 and handle 10. The different component elements of the embodiment can be made of hard aluminum alloys or other similar tough materials, which should be nonmagnetic if direction and attitude indicators are used and they are tightly secured one to the other by the use of screws and cement in an obvious manner.

As best seen in the cut away view of FIG. 1, the face of base part 14 under plate 12, has a washboard configuration wherein a multiplicity of rib-bed projections 18 to 27 are uniformly spaced within the general area of this face framed by end rims 29 and 30, and side rims 31 and 32, extending along the edges of the base part. Within this arrangement of projections and rims are defined a multiplicity of interconnected shallow channels 36 to 48. Flow-restricting, necked-down areas located in the middle of channels 37 to 44 are provided to aid unidirectional flows of coolant fluid through the multiplicity of interconnected channels. The input and output terminal points of the flow paths followed by the fluid are situated adjacent the respective right and left sides of a short projection 50, as viewed in FIG. 1, bridging between rim 29 and ribbed projection 18. A pair of parallel passages 52 and 53 extending through header 15 and base rim 29,

Open into channels 36 and 48, respectively, at the aforesaid input and output terminal points therein. within input and output passages 52 and 53 are tubular conduits 54 and 55, respectively, each of which project upwardly a suitable lengh to accommodate the fitting thereon of a flexible tubing of elastic material such as rubber.

Application of the sampler of the invention as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, to function as previously indicated, requires that the flexible tubings connected to conduits 54 and 55 be further connected to a reservoir or source of cold fluid. A suitable source of cold fluid can be a receptacle in contact with solid CO and containing alcohol or another fluid of low viscosity. The sampler is placed wedge 9 first into the sediment of interest so as to cover the greater portion of the outer faces of structure 8. The cold fluid is pumped from its source through the flexible tubing connected to conduit 54, and thusly delivered to channel 36 from whence it is supplied to the parallel channels 37 and 46. Fluid circulated through these channels is returned to the source of cold fluid by way of further channels 47 and 48, conduit 55, and the flexible tube connected between conduit 55 and such source. In the event the sampler is being used in water 30 feet or less in depth, the flexible tubings only need be insulated, and the cold fluid pumped down from a small boat. If sediments from greater depths are to be sampled, at small submersible motor and compressor can be mounted above the sampler to supply cold fluid for circulation through the interior of the sampler. Electric power can be supplied to the motor through well-insulated cable. An alternative procedure can be adopted wherein a battery-operated pump is used along with the fluid and Dry-Ice mixture or some other cold supply which would cause a sediment sample to freeze upon the surfaces of structure The second embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3 is operative to obtain a sediment sample having a circular core. In his form of the invention the sample support surface is an outside wall of a relatively slender cylindrical conduit 60 which depends from an opening in a tubular extension 61 out of the bottom of a housing 62. A pipe thread connection in the housing opening couples in an end opening of conduit 60 received therein. The oposite-end opening of conduit 60 has. internal threads to adapt it to receive the threaded end section of a conical plug 63 which seals the end opening and provides a firm point to facilitate penetration by the sampler into sediment. Housing 62 enlarges above its extension 61 as a cup-like container 64 whose top opening is covered by a flanged cap 65 fastened thereto by a threaded connection. In a central opening through cap 65 is tightly fitted an elongated cylindrical tube 68 whichprojects a short distance above the cap and passes down through housing 62 and conduit 60 to within a short distance of the inner surface of conduit plug 63. As is made evident in FIG. 3, tube 68 is concentrically situated with respect to conduit 60 and housing 62, about a common axis thereof. Tube 68 is thus spacially related to define a coaxial passage 70 between the inner and outer surfaces of conduit 60 and the tube, respectively. Also apparent is that passage 70 joins the flow path through tube 68, to the interior of housing 62 by way of the enclosed space between the end of the tube and plug 63. A second opening in cap 65 tightly retains a short length of further tubing 72 which defines a flow passage from within upper housing part 64 to outside the housing where a short length of the tubing projects to provide a connector stub for a hose to be hereinafter more fully described.

Provisions to locate and otherwise move the circular core sample as desired include a supporting brace structure 74 equipped with an extended handle 75. The sampler is held suspended from this support structure by a collar-like plate or disk 76 having .a central opening in which extension 61 is situated so as to allow housing part 64 to rest on the disk. A similar disk 77, located above the housing, is rigidly joined to disk 76, and arranged substantially parallel thereto by means of a plurality of vertical tie rods such as elements 78 and 79. Threaded extremities of these rods are secured at openings in the disks by ordinary nuts 80 in an obvious manner. A threaded central opening in disk 77 receives the threaded end of handle 75 which is secured in the opening by a simple lock nut 81.

Insulated flexible tubings 82 and 83 connected respectively to the ends of tubes 68 and 72 projecting above housing 62, are adapted to carry cold fluid to circulate between a source and the sampler of FIG. 3, in very much the same way in which the cold fluid is managed for use in the embodiment of the sampler shown in FIG. 1. However, in using the sampler of FIG. 3, its conduit 60 is embedded as a probe in the sediment at an orientation and to a depth deemed appropriate to give the form of circular sample sought. The depth of penetration by the probing determines the length of the core whose diameter depends on the time and rate conditions of the freezing procedure that is applied. Cold fluid is supplied at tube 68 and flows therein to enter passage 70 through which it passes to empty into housing 62. The circulating fluid thereafter leaves the sampler through short tube 72 and returns to the source for further cooling before it is again utilized in the sampler. Also shown in FIG. 3 is an indicator unit 84 which can provide information regarding the orientation of the sampler when it is made operational in a substantial depth of water. Unit 84 is attached to handle 75 a short distance above the sampler by any conventional fasteners, and is arranged to receive there through the returning cold fluid leaving the sampler in tubing 83, for a purpose to be hereinafter more fully explained in connection with the indicator unit shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the invention having special utility for collecting underwater sediment samples of a large area of bottom surface in an essentially undisturbed condition. A streamlined housing 85, having stabilizing devices such as tail surfaces 86 and 87, is employed in this form of the sampler so as to avoid displacement of the sampler by water currents and streams after it is located and operating. Except for a rearward portion of the housings underside 88, which extends slightly upward to conform to the converging shape of the housing, this underside is generally flat and maintained level. Above a relatively large rectangular opening 89 in the forward portion of underside 88 is installed an enclosure element 90 resembling an inverted pan. Enclosure element 90 is provided with a wide flange rim 91 by means of which it is fixed by cementing, or like sealing means, to the inside edge of underside 88 defin overlie thickened edges of the covering sheet 92, whereby it achieves a liquid-tight closure when screwed or clamped down around the outside edges of housing opening 89.

From the foregoing description it is evident that sheet 92 and enclosure element 99 form a sealed compartment 95 within the underside 83 of housing 85. Compartment 95 is adapted to receive therethrough a flow of cold fluid by way of conduits 96 and 97 tightly fitted into the upper wall of enclosure element 90, and extending outside housing 85 for connections to. flexible hoses leading to a coolant source, as was heretofore explained in connec-. tion with the previous embodiments of the invention.

Accordingly, flexible sheet 92 can thus be made effective area, and to provide additional stability for the housing,

further compartments 99 and 101, installed in front and rear spaces of housing 85, are filled with lead shot or similar heavy material. Appropriate hatch covers are force fitted into loading ports in the upper walls of the compartments. An extended handle 103 is fixed at a central point in the top of the housing to facilitate moving the sampler as required. Substantially all space within housing 85 not taken up by compartments 95, 99, and 101, is filled with suitable insulation material 105.

In taking sediment samples underwater at relatively great depths, the horizontal and vertical orientation of a sample cannot easily be determined from the waters surface. FIG. 5 shows details of an integral unit of the present invention which enables the making of suchmeasurements as are necessary to establish the disposition of the sampler at the time it is operative and is collecting a sediment sample in deep water. Provided in this unit are an attitude indicator 110, and a direction indicator 112 incased by an insulated receptacle 115. Attitude indicator 112 is essentially a sealed globe 117 made of slightly expansible transparent material. The contents of globe 117 include water 118 and a colored, lighter-than-water immiscible liquid 119. Scales 120 marked around two coordinate circumferential traces on the surface of globe 117, specify in degrees angular displacements from planes through the vertical axis of the globe. A thin post 121, fastened to the floor of receptacle 115, is cemented to a point at the nadir of globe 117 to secure it in an operative position.

Direction indicator 112 is composed of a simple compass including a case 124 which is set in a gimbal mount 125. A pair of uprights 126 fixed to the floor of receptacle 115 support mount 125 so as to allow case 124 to turn freely on horizontal axes 127 and 128. Compass needle 13!) is pivotally mounted in case 124 which is filled with water containing a strong reducing agent, or other means of reducing oxidation of the needle. Case 124 is covered and its contents sealed within it by a transparent flexible plastic sheet 131 secured to the case by a retaining ring 132. A pendulum weight 134 is suspended from the bottom of case 124 to maintain the compass level in an obvious manner.

A casing 136 of insulation material fitted about receptacle 115, is furnished with an insulator cover 137 fastened to the casing by screw clamps 138. Receptacle 115 is also provided with a detachable cover 140, which is set over a gasket element and secured by screws to fashion a seal for the receptacle. Extending through the opposite walls of casing 136 and receptacle 115 are conduits 142 and 143, which are adapted to provide communication between the interior of the receptacle and the source of cold fluid supplied to the sediment-freezing surfaces of the sampler.

It is therefore evident that a part of the cold fluid will flow around globe 117 and compass case 124 when a sample is taken, whereby both the compass needle and the water-immiscible liquid boundary are frozen in position. When a sample is raised to the surface, the horizontal and vertical orientations of the sampler at the time of sampling can quickly be ascertained by reading the settings on direction and attitude indicators 110 and 112. As was previously noted in the explanation of the embodiment of FIG. 3, suitable attaching brackets are used to appropriately support the unit of FIG. 5 on an upper structural part of a sampler, such that the indications in the unit can be easily and quickly read in respect to a known relationship to one or more significant structural elements of the sampler. Accordingly, in substantially the same manner an indicating unit can be adapted for use in each of the embodiments of the invention as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. A basic analysis of the differences in the indicators readings from the normal or initially set readings give the data needed to determine the actual disposition of the sampler in the sediment, and hence the disposition of the sediment layers on the sampler in respect to the surface of the water and the direction of stream currents. The embodiment of FIG. 4 can alternatively comprise the indicator unit of FIG. 5 in a receptacle made an integral part of its housing structure.

Obviously other modifications and variations in the details of the present invention are possible in the light of the disclosure herein. For example, in place of the handle heretofore described as a means for maneuvering a sampler underwater, the sampler can be weighted and suspended by a cable from a small boat to provide a more desirable surface or control connection with a sampler being used in deep water. It is therefore understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. A sampling device employing a fluid coolant as an agent to freeze the material of a sample thereon, comprising an enclosure structure wherein a rectangular chamber is formed by an integral assembly of plane Walls and including a sample-bearing means having at least one substantially fiat outer surface portion adapted to contact said sample material, means to conduct a flow of said fluid coolant through said chamber and upon an inner surface portion opposite said substantially flat outer surface portion of said bearing means, conduits to direct the flow of coolant into and out of said coolant flowconducting means, and means joined to said structure to situate said device at a sampling location.

2. The sampling device of claim 1 wherein said enclosure structure chamber is sealed and said samplebearing means thereof comprising said substantially flat outer surface portion as one of at least two relatively broad and two relatively narrow flat outer surfaces adapted to contact said sample material, and said means to conduct said fluid coolant flow within said sealed housing includes an arrangement comprising a multiplicity of substantially parallel, elongated, interconnected channels being furnished said coolant from one of said conduits and being relieved of said coolant through another of said conduits.

3. The sampling device of claim 2 wherein each of a plurality of said multiplicity of channels have at generally corresponding locations therein a necked-down portion restricting said fluid-coolant flow therethrough to aid unidirectional flow of said fluid-coolant between said one and said another of said conduits.

4. The sampling device of claim 1 wherein said enclosure structure is a generally streamlined body having a substantially flat bottom surface comprising said substantially flat outer surface portion, and including hydrodynamic stabilizing means, a relatively large opening in said bottom surface, said integral chamber comprising a raised covering element secured to the inside surface of said body adjacent said bottom surface so as to plug said opening and define an enclosed space thereover extending up into said housing, said substantially flat outer surface portion comprising a flexible sheet material fixed to said bottom surface adjacent outside edges of said open ing so as to enclose the space between the inside surfaces of said covering element and said flexible-sheet material, and said conduit means opening into said enclosed space by passing through said covering element and extending out therefrom through said body.

5. The sampling device of claim 4 wherein said stabilizing means includes horizontal and vertical stream-deflecting surfaces arranged rearwardly on said body and containers loaded with weights arranged within forward and intermediate parts of said body, and space within said body and outside said containers and said raised covering element being filled with insulation material.

6. The sampling device of claim 1 including an indicator unit having a housing secured to said enclosure structure in a fixed predetermined directional and angular-structural relationship therewith, a sealed receptacle enclosed within said housing by enveloping layers of insulation, a sperical element of slightly elastic transparent material fixed to a surface in said receptacle, a compass needle operatively set in a weighted case mounted in a gimbal supported for rotation on uprights fixed to said receptacle surface, said spherical element being marked with coordinate scales of angular degrees and partly filled with water and partly with a colored immiscible liquid, said compass case being filled with water and covered by an expandable transparent sheet material, conduit means opening through opposite Walls of said receptacle, and means interconnecting said receptacle conduit means and said conduits allowing said coolant flow whereby the flow path of the fluid coolant is defined by said conduits and conduit means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS l/1957 Simon 73421 12/ 1965 Lagergren 73-421 

1. A SAMPLING DEVICE EMPLOYING A FLUID COOLANT AS AN AGENT TO FREEZE THE MATERIAL OF A SAMPLE THEREON, COMPRISING AN ENCLOSURE STRUCTURE WHEREIN A RECTANGULAR CHAMBER IS FORMED BY AN INTEGRAL ASSEMBLY OF PLANE WALLS AND INCLUDING A SAMPLE-BEARING MEANS HAVING AT LEAST ONE SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT OUTER SURFACE PORTION ADAPTED TO CONTACT SAID SAMPLE MATERIAL, MEANS TO CONDUCT A FLOW OF SAID FLUID COOLANT THROUGH SAID CHAMBER AND UPON AN INNER SURFACE PORTION OPPOSITE SAID SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT OUTER SURFACE PORTION OF SAID BEARING MEANS, CONDUITS TO DIRECT THE FLOW OF COOLANT INTO AND OUT OF SAID COOLANT FLOWCONDUCTING MEANS, AND MEANS JOINED TO SAID STRUCTURE TO SITUATE SAID DEVICE AT A SAMPLING LOCATION. 